​HELSINKI MARATHON (15.08.15)

Helsinki was a challenging race but really pleased to have made it over the line amid some fantastic support. We met members of the Finnish ME Association throughout the weekend including Mintti Raassina, Christel Rimaila and Paula Aarnio, all of which were hugely supportive and great company. The association are slowly growing their numbers and although the attitude towards ME from the government seems typically neglectful, there are signs that maybe things are changing there. They seemed really grateful for my visit and having posted about the challenge on their social media, we're hoping that a follow up will make it into the Finnish press.

Start

Pretty hectic and jam-packed but some clapping in pens raises the atmosphere and off we go. I'm struggling to weave through to get space over the first 3 miles as we head out of town from the stadium towards the islands. Small footpaths have runners spilling off them onto the grass and I'm having to be careful not to be out-jostled or bumped into the oncoming traffic. I've started pretty well, certainly a faster first 5km than in Prague. In fact I'm on for a 3 hr 45 min race as we hit 10 miles having caught up and overtaken the 4.15 and 4.00 'rabbits'. I've passed a guy in a green fluffy dinosaur suit who must be baking and a sign saying 'Cold beer just 35km away' which makes me laugh. The route is really very pretty and there's plenty of sights to see as the many bridges we cross bounce under the weight of the runners.

Middle

Running over foot-bridges out towards Lehtisaari island and there's some fantastic views of the Baltic Sea and although there's not much in the way of crowd support I'm doing OK so far despite the heat. Getting over to the Grand Marina some of us are applauding the elite runners who roar past us on the other side of the road. I'm starting to overheat a little not helped by one drinks station not being ready with any cups of water to offer which causes a gridlock as runners pile up to wait. Running up through the Toolonlahti area alongside the lake and there's a nice atmosphere as we turn the corner across the start line ready for the second lap of the course. I wave at Cat, trying my best not to look in pain for the cameras but my hips are starting to lock and early cramp isn't far away as I completed the half-marathon in 1 hr 56 mins.

End

So I get to 17m and I'm starting to feel dizzy, I'm guessing due to dehydration, so I have to stop briefly and take on a lot more water. Upon starting again I get cramp in both calves and realise I'm in a bit of trouble. And I'm not the only one as I'm watching people tap out, one chap is stretchered away by the local medics and there's a lot of folk walking and grimacing. I eventually get going again but I'm slow and have lost my running form. I realise that I'm not going to beat Prague and I'm going to have to work hard to finish before my slowest marathon (London, 2001, 4 hrs 31 mins). At this point though I decide to try and enjoy the run more and I'm having some banter with the locals about the hills and weather with a smile on the pace; I know I'll finish the race even if I crawl it. A piece of banana at mile 23 proves to be a turning point as I suddenly get a second wind and somehow run through the park for the final time and up towards the stadium. I can here my name being announced as I run in and I can see the finish line 200m away. I get over the line beaming that I've made it, that was a tough but an incredible experience. More lessons learned for next time for the final third of the race but I'm happy to get through what will probably be the hottest (if not hilliest) marathon on the challenge.